Who Really Wrote the Song "Hallelujah"?
Clarifying Confusion
"Hallelujah" is the original work of Leonard Cohen. If you had bothered to open the CD booklet you too would have come to this realization. Cohen is, by no small measure, a brilliant lyricist - quite evident by the aforementioned song. Which seems to be somewhat of a tragedy "The problem for the song today, however, is that it is so popular it seems to pop up everywhere, causing some musical fans who might otherwise appreciate it for the masterpiece it is to hate it for its omnipresence." (http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syltguides/fullview/P7E2QMMXT6TS) I couldn't have said it better myself.
Making its first appearance on Cohen's Various Positions, "Hallelujah" is most appreciated for being both deeply spiritual and emotionally complex; making this song quite possibly the only one to gather so much of these two powerful elements into only a few verses. It is told from the view of the Old Testament King, David, about his affair with Bathsheba. Known only to Cohen's fans, it wasn't until the nineties that its popularity grew. Although performed by many artists including Buckley and Wainwright, its most important version was established by John Cale. Cale covered the song for his 1991 Cohen Tribute album I'm Your Fan, establishing the song's definitive shape. Reportedly, in live performance, Cohen would play around with the song, drawing from as many as fifteen verses. After hearing such a performance, Cale requested the lyrics from Cohen and was overwhelmed to receive all of the verses, not just those from the evening's performance. From this, Cale simplified the song by using only piano accompaniment. For this Cale does deserve credit for producing the version we all know so well.
Just as Cale brought simplicity to the piece, Jeff Buckley brought his own bit of intensity; having incredible vocal dexterity gives his version credit for best performance. And although Wainwright's cover is used on the Shrek Soundtrack, Cale's is the one used in the movie. Unfortunately "Hallelujah" might be a casualty of its own brilliance.
Published by Sarah Faden
I am a 20-something single mother. Music, writing, art, entertainment, fashion, beauty and wellness have all been my passions for as long as I can remember. View profile
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12 Comments
Post a Commentthere are now those claiming Bob Dylan wrote hallelujah
Kathryn Dawn Lang A.K.A K.D Lang
why do people ripp off the song hallelujah when they dnt understand the beatyu of the song and how it tiughed peoples hearts but by ripping it off now no one knows who wrote the song arringaly
How could anyone actually say Leonard Cohen's version sucked? Jeff Buckley was paying homage to a legend. watch this and then give your opinion. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttv5dyvtF4o
You are correct in your first assertion.... The song itself is barely recognizible in Alex's interpretaion. That is not meantt as a compliment!
hallelujah is a really good song and alex sings itbrillent
That's because Leonard Cohen wrote more than one version.
What a rip, you should have had them sign a statement lol
someone was prepared to bet their house 'hallelujah' was Jeff Buckley's. but i knew it was Leonard Cohen's. but they refuse to give me their house!
if you look up the song like 5 different versions of the lyrics come up. why are the real lyrics?